TOPEKA–Living Acres Network, Gove County, and McCarty Dairy, Rexford, were among the 11 Water + Energy Progress 2015 award winners congratulated by Governor Sam Brownback at the state capitol March 11.

Kansas producers were recognized as models of innovation for their water and energy saving practices, which included using cover crops, no-till, managed rotational grazing systems, solar pumping stations, subsurface drip irrigation, irrigation scheduling, wind turbines, local foods production, milk condensing systems, on-farm research, and collaboration.

Addressing the award winners, Brownback said, “We’ve got to be able to produce more using less water, less energy, less inputs. We’ve got to conserve water, and you guys are on the front line doing it.”

USDA Director of Rural Development Patty Clark said, “We face tremendous challenges with water issues in the state of Kansas. These producers practice stewardship of water, soil, and energy on a daily basis. They are the leaders of the pack of innovation.”

2015 Water + Energy Progress Award Winners are:

John Bradley, Douglas County
Mark Eitel, Dighton
Michael Herrmann, Kinsley
Jane Koger, Chase County
Living Acres Network, Gove County
McCarty Dairy, Rexford
Karen and John Pendelton, Lawrence
Shannon Creek Cattle & Quarter Horses, Olsburg
Bill Sproul, Sedan
Lucinda Stuenkel, Palmer
Darin & Nancy Williams, Waverly